St. George s Episcopal Church September 20, 2017

Transcription

1 St. George s Episcopal Church September 20, 2017 Attendance: Vestry P The Very Rev. Shearon Williams P - Denise Cormaney (Senior Warden) P Elliott Branch (Treasurer) P Don George (Junior Warden) P Mary Martha Churchman (Register) P Bradford Hardin P Emily Davis P Eric Goldman P - Linda Sibert P - Darren Hekhuis P Katie Wells P Mary Yuhas P Manuel Figallo Note: Perfect Attendance Others P The Rev. John Shellito (Associate Rector) P George DeFilippi, Treasurer P Parks Gilbert, Treasurer in training P Bob Clarke P Elena Keydal P Anna Alt-White P Katherine Ferguson (Deacon intern) Opening Prayer The Rev. Shearon Williams called the meeting to order at 7:31 PM and Mary Martha Churchman led the Vestry in four timely prayers for our

2 elected leaders, social justice, and immigrants selected from a 1964 edition of Prayers for All Occasions. Approval of the Minutes The Vestry voted unanimously to approve the minutes for the July meeting, as revised based on comments received. There was no meeting in August. Treasurer s Report Interim Treasurer George DeFilippi submitted August reports (including July because they are cumulative) for the Vestry s review before the meeting. The Vestry had no questions and approved the reports. George reported that he and the financial committee have completed their review of the 2015 audit report and are ready to submit it to the Diocese, while continuing to work to resolve remaining minor findings that have not yet been addressed. Katie Wells moved and Don George seconded a motion to approve submission of the 2015 report to the Diocese and to thank Susan Kuhn and Jill Nusbaum who conducted the audit, thus saving over $10,000. The vestry unanimously approved the motions. CST Group, the accounting firm conducting the professional audit of the 2016 financial accounts has completed its work and given St. George s a clean bill of health. George will submit the report for Vestry review and approval by electronic vote before the next meeting. Thanks are due to Nancy Kee, Bob Stone, and George DeFilippi for working with the auditors to provided records and clarifications as needed. New Business Stewardship (Parks Gilbert & Bob Clark) Bob and Parks reported on the kick-off of the 2017 Stewardship Campaign and provided customized stewardship packets for Vestry members as a sample of materials that will be sent to parishioners. Vestry members are asked to return their pledge cards by October 1. Packets will be mailed to other members on October 15. The materials are modified for three groups of pledgers: long term members (AKA Old-timers), people who have given for 2-5 years, and newcomers. The season is designed to be shorter this year so that follow up can be

3 conducted before Thanksgiving. New emphasis is also placed on recurring electronic payments, with a new option for continuing periodic payments until changed or cancelled, rather than having to start fresh each year. (Some pledge payments may have been missed in recent years when automatic electronic payments were assumed to continue, but didn t.) The campaign also includes a new emphasis on planned giving and rolls out the Legacy Circle, with initial members to be recognized as charter members and ongoing recognitions established. New Revenue Check-In (Elena Keydel & Anna Alt-White) Shearon noted that while they signed up as co-chairs with the understanding that they would oversee the activities of multiple leaders for individual initiatives, in fact Anna and Elena have done the lion s share of the work of implementing new revenue themselves. Elena meanwhile also continues to oversee the final completion of the renovation project punch list. The Vestry recognizes and appreciates their contributions! Anna reported on a new opportunity to rent the renovated nave space and one classroom to another church. The initial contact was made August 1, from St. Timothy and St. Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church which, like Kinhaven preschool, is being displaced from their current location at Central United Methodist Church (CUMC), where they have been for 4-5 years. They serve primarily Egyptian immigrants and converts. They come highly recommended from the pastor of CUMC as respecting the terms of the lease, being cooperative co-users of the space, and cleaning up after themselves. Their requirements for time and space are compatible with our use since they adhere to a different calendar and their three major feast days do not coincide with ours. Their large Sunday service occurs at a different location and they only need our space for Saturday Vespers and a meeting. If they occasionally wish to use the parish hall for special events, they are willing to pay additional rent. They are currently paying $1200/month but may be willing to negotiate a higher rent. The proposal has been reviewed by St. George s staff and clergy and relevant committees. Michael Woods recommends that we have a written agreement (as we do with all our tenants), but no other insurmountable problems were raised. The only issue introduced by the Vestry during discussion was the possibility of conflicts with Saturday weddings and/or receptions, which might have to be scheduled earlier than desired. At this point they are only seeking a one year agreement.

4 Don moved and Eric seconded the following resolution presented by the New Revenue committee: RESOLUTION FOR THE VESTRY OF SAINT GEORGE S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ARLINGTON REGARDING ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH SAINT TIMOTHY AND SAINT ATHENASIUS COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH Be it resolved that the Vestry approve entering into an agreement with Saint Timothy and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church for use of Room 114 and the Nave, with occasional use of the Parish Hall on Saturday evenings primarily from 5-9:30 PM. Background: For a number of years Saint George's rented multiple classrooms and the Nave to Amanuel Ethiopian Evangelical Church on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoons. Prior to our renovation they moved into their new church building. We have considered finding another church to use our space as long as it did not conflict with our worship times. Independently, Saint Timothy and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, currently located at Central United Methodist Church (CUMC) approached us to ascertain our interest in using our Nave and primarily one classroom on Saturday from 5-9:30 PM. They have a five-year history at CUMC and a stellar reference from CUMC's Pastor. Based on meetings and clarifications with Saint Timothy's Priest and Church administrator, as well as Saint George's staff and ministries that would be impacted (Building and Grounds, Worship, including Altar and Flower Guilds), the New Revenue Facilitators present the following resolution for your consideration. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Vestry of Saint George s Episcopal Church, Arlington, enter into an agreement (length to be determined) with Saint Timothy and Saint Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, pursuant to review by the Parish Attorney. The agreement will begin January 2018 for a minimum of $14,400/year. The Vestry approved the resolution, with one abstention. Elena reported on the results of her research and analysis regarding alternative strategies for managing or selling the rectory property owned by Saint George s. The Building and Grounds Committee had asked that the Vestry review the possibility of selling the property rather than continuing to maintain and rent it. Elena obtained estimates of the market value for sale or rent of the property from three independent realtors, including the current management agency. The property is currently rented to a family well known to St. George s who have proven to be good tenants, for $3080/month, which is $5-600 below market rental value in its current condition. The market sales value in current condition is estimated to be $860,000 $913,034. Consultation with the Diocesan Deployment Officer yielded a strong recommendation to retain the property to enhance our

5 ability in the future to recruit and hire a highly qualified new Associate or Rector given the high cost of alternative housing in Arlington. The Vestry discussed the information provided, with attention to the Diocese s advice, the good tenants we currently have, the shortage of affordable housing in Arlington (and our contribution to the supply of affordable housing by renting the Rectory slightly below market value), and the investment in repairs and improvements while the Rectory was used by our Interim Rector and other tenants. The Vestry was not ready to vote on the Recommendation presented by the Alternative Revenue Taskforce: Do not sell the Rectory. Over the next few years, bring the rental rate to market rate of $ This would provide an additional $7,200 a year. The Vestry requests further documentation/research from the Building and Grounds Committee to determine the net proceeds from the rental (after fees and maintenance costs). There is also reluctance to raise the monthly rent too aggressively while the current tenant is in residence. Key Policy Since the interior doors were re-keyed recently, some parishioners discovered their keys no longer worked and their requests for new keys were declined by the Parish Administrator, possibly citing policy established by the Building and Grounds Committee. In fact, the key policy in effect was established by the Vestry when the new exterior Red Doors and electronic locks were installed approximately five years ago. The policy provides for keys to be available only to Vestry, Ministry leaders, and others with documented need for access on a regular basis. Clergy and staff feel strongly that to manage building use and security, access to keys must be limited. Vestry discussion revolved around how to balance these administrative concerns with valuing and supporting the contributions of members. The change in locks has not been widely communicated, catching members who were accustomed to access by surprise. Katie Wells suggested some language to communicate the issue sensitively to members and will forward it to Shearon and Denise for use in announcements and/or Dragon Bytes. Individuals other than Vestry or Ministry leaders are invited to document their need for access for consideration. Leadership Reports

6 Junior Warden: Christmas in August generated 19 backpacks for APAH residents as well as school supplies for another 300+ students. It was a positive experience with significant response on minimum effort and duration. Don did it himself. Senior Warden: Denise commented on the support for Mel and Becky during the trial of the day care provider charged in baby Millie s death. Many St. Georgians have traveled to attend court sessions in Montgomery County to support the families, who are appreciative. Crystal Hardin is collecting contributions for lunch one day next week. (Different groups and individuals have provided lunch daily for those attending the trial in support of the prosecution.) Associate Rector: Families of Faith began on Thursday evening, coordinated with the youth choir rehearsals, a better time for families than the Adult Forum hour. Sunday School and EYC have resumed program year activities. John+ is conducting pre-marital counseling for five couples who plan to be married at Saint George s. (The Rector also requires all couples who are planning marriages at St. George s to take the LCF class.) VOICE has a big event scheduled October 15 at a location outside Manassas. Rector: the new LCF class began this week. Jorge is back after tending to his seriously injured 92-year-old father in Guatemala. Ben Keseley is talking about a possible choir tour to England in a future year. There will be a series of Tuesday Evensongs aimed at neighbors and young adults. Shearon+ welcomed our Deacon Intern Katherine Ferguson to the Vestry meeting. In coming week and months she will have important interviews regarding her candidacy. In addition to Deacon School and her internship with us she has a day job as a Senior Systems Engineer at the National Geospatial Agency. Norma Kacen is chairing her committee at St. George s. Our new two year seminarian Daniel Johnson has also begun his time with us. Diocesan Convention will be one day in November in this transitional year. Paul Belanga is seriously ill and currently in the hospital. Notes and cards are welcomed. Shearon also reminded Vestry members to read Dragon Bytes and announcements and be sensitive to events they should attend, especially funerals of members. Funerals of members are announced in s to the congregation and Vestry members should take note and attend if at all possible. Compline Given the hour, the Vestry meeting concluded with free prayers and the Lord s Prayer instead of Compline, and adjourned at 9:35 PM